DALLAS — Tears streamed down Indiana Pacers coach Rick Carlisle’s face after a tribute video honoring him played on the American Airlines Center video boards before Saturday night’s game with the Dallas Mavericks.
It was the first time that Carlisle coached against the Mavericks since the franchise all-time winningest coach resigned last summer, ending a 13-year tenure highlighted by the team’s only NBA championship.
“I wasn’t expecting that,” Carlisle said of being overcome by his emotions “The only other time I’ve felt that kind of emotional moment was when we raised the banner the first game of the lockout-shortened season of ’11-12. It was just the same kind of feeling. I was not expecting anything like that. It was a wonderful gesture, very much appreciated.”
After the Dallas’ 132-105 victory, a long line of Mavericks coaches, executives and players exchanged hugs and pleasantries with Carlisle on the court. Dallas star Luka Doncic, whose relationship with Carlisle was often rocky, was one of the last and expressed his appreciation for his former coach.
“I’ve been with him my first three years and learned a lot of things,” said Doncic, who had 32 points and 12 assists in the win. “He helped me in a way, too, so it was a special moment. The tribute was special to him. You could see it, and he deserves it.”
Prior to tipoff, it was clear Carlisle was focused on the game, but also understood the uniqueness to the day overall.
“It’s a little bit of an unusual day, but it’s great to be back,” he said. Because his family still lives in the Dallas area, it was also a chance to visit at home as well as see people in the organization who meant a lot to him.
Carlisle resigned June 16, 10 days after Dallas lost its first-round playoff series to the LA Clippers for the second straight year and one day after the resignation of longtime team executive Donnie Nelson. In making his announcement, Carlisle said his departure was solely his decision.
A week later, Carlisle…
Source : espn
